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  • Season of Darkness

  • Written by: Maureen Jennings
  • Narrated by: Tom Craig
  • Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (801 ratings)

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Season of Darkness

Written by: Maureen Jennings
Narrated by: Tom Craig
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Publisher's Summary

The creator of the acclaimed Detective Murdoch Mysteries turns her exceptional storytelling skills to a murder mystery set in rural Shropshire, England, in the darkest days of the Second World War.

Following the disastrous retreat of the British army from Dunkirk in 1940, England is plunged into a state of fear. The threat of a German invasion is real, and many German Nationals are interned in camps across the country. One such camp is on the ancient moor land of Prees Heath, near the small town of Whitchurch in Shropshire, where Tom Tyler is the sole detective inspector.

Young women from all walks of life have joined the Land Army, to help desperate farmers keep the country fed. When one of these young women is found murdered on a desolate country road, Tyler is almost glad for the challenge; he has been fretting for some time about the dullness of policing in a rural community. In addition, a former lover has reappeared and turned his emotions upside down; his soldier son seems utterly changed by his experience at Dunkirk; and his 16-year-old daughter is unhappy. As he pursues the murderer, Tyler finds himself drawn into an uneasy alliance with one of the Prees Heath internees, a psychiatrist, who claims to be an expert on the criminal mind.

©2011 Maureen Jennings (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"Jennings has a wonderful feel for the places and tasks that give life and context to a character." (New York Times Book Review)
"When it comes to evoking a bygone era . . . Jennings has [Anne] Perry beat hands down." (Calgary Herald)
"Jennings writes with the lilt and assurance of an old hand. She deftly wields historic details without impeding the story." (San Jose Mercury News)

What listeners say about Season of Darkness

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting Story

I found it easy to get involved in the story. It may drag in places, but overall it held my interest. The biggest problem is the narrator. He is good with some accents, but I was always conscious that he was reading - and not that well.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

not what I hoped for

like Maureen Jennings work, and Tom Craig as Inspector Brackenreid in Murdoch, but as a narrator not so much. Accents not really in his wheel house. Just couldn't get past it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this story, the idea of a murder mystery for historical fiction was great.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good story

It was quite a good story. The narrator wasn't terrible, had a pleasant voice. I recognized it from TV shows he had been in. Perhaps because he has a strong Lancashire accent, he wasn't so great at doing any other accents. That was where he fell down. He could not do German and wasn't too great at Irish. I've heard better narrators for sure. Still he made an effort. Lots of very interesting things in the story.
On another note, and not important, I thought the artwork on the cover of the book was not appealing. It is dreary and the airplanes were not really part of story whereas it is large on the book cover. Good art on the cover can entice someone to read the book. I put off reading this book for a few months because of it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

P.D. James Manque

The historical setting, thoroughly researched and presented, attracted me to the book and held my interest, but only just. None of the characters, including the Detective, was quite up to James's talent, and were hard to really care about. Espionage and crime are intertwined to no great end. The reader was adequate.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

First time with M. Jennings, very impressed

Extremely impressed by the work displayed. the dedication to weaving an original narrative within the location and time of wartime Rural England is seamlessly crafted, and you feel yourself transported there by the talented narrations of Tom Craig. Do give this a listen, you won't regret it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed.

really good story and well narrated. Kept my interest throughout. I recommend this book. Thank you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story while including relevant history.

I found the narrator soothing and interesting to listen too. His level of emotion was bang on!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well written and Beautifully narrated!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it! I love a good thriller and with history!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a fantastic tale of mystery and espionage

very well written and keeps you guessing from start to finish. exceptional narrating by Tom Craig

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